The headings listed under this section appear to be more a set of aspirations or opportunities than challenges and would sit more comfortably as part of Section 4 on the Vision for Southend Central Area.

In terms of challenges Renaissance Southend (RSL) considers the most significant is probably the social and economic profile of the Central Area Wards which include high indices of deprivation not just compared to the rest of the town but nationally are in the worst 10% of Super Output Areas. It should be a key challenge to identify how the SCAAP will help to address some of these issues through the creation of new homes, jobs and learning opportunities and an enhanced quality of life through improvements to the physical environment which would complement other interventions.

In addition RSL believes the following challenges should also be addressed by the AAP:
1. How will much needed private investment be secured to deliver the planned aspirations for establishing Central Southend as a functioning regional centre identified in the Core Strategy, against a background of low values for both residential and commercial development and a history of low private investment over the last ten years in these sectors.

2. The Plan should address the challenge of an oversupply of outdated and poor quality office space and how this can be replaced in a phased manner that responds to demand in what is likely to be a fragile market for the next few years.

3. How to reconcile existing and future demands for off street parking to serve the existing needs of the town centre and commercial seafront and encourage a modal shift to reduce demand with the need to ensure viability and create development potential on sites currently used for surface car parking. This is referenced under 3.34, but we believe there is a need for greater clarity on this issue from the AAP.

4. What should be the aspiration for the commercial leisure offer on the sea-front over the next ten years and what planning policies need to be in place to secure the objectives? How critical will the new Central Museum in the Cliffs be to securing this?

5. What will be the needs of the University and College over the next 10 years in Central Southend to ensure they can continue to expand and develop their key role in the town.

6. Reconciling the need for affordable housing with the need to stimulate private investment in sites in the town centre with marginal viability, given the reliance on town centre for total housing supply in next 5- 10 years

RSL welcomes the reference in 3.9 to linking retail experience with 'public realm improvements, a greater mix of complementary uses and a user-friendly atmosphere.' If Central Southend is to have a sustainable and successful economic future then it will be important to 'differentiate the town centre from other centres in the region and create a unique, bespoke and, in places, speciality offer which would enhance the appeal of the town centre to the catchment population, as well as to visitors from further afield.' This can be supported by the reference in 3.27 to the need for 'a strategic plan to direct the linking of spaces into a coherent network that enhances urban life.' The quality of the public realm will also strongly support the 'cultural hub' aspiration set out under 3.24 and we feel that this link should be made more specific.